By CentralBankNews.info
Kenya’s central bank left its Central Bank Rate (CBR) unchanged at 9.0 percent, saying the current rate is appropriate as inflation expectations remain well anchored within its target range and the economy is operating close to its potential.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which has kept its rate steady since July 2018, added today’s meeting by its monetary policy committee (MPC) was held against the backdrop of macroeconomic stability, sustained optimism about economic growth prospects despite the delayed onset of rains in some parts of the country, a gradual rise in oil prices and a weakening of global economic growth.
CBK’s reference to anchored inflation expectations and economic output close to potential was also seen in its earlier policy statements from January this year and November 2018.
Kenya’s inflation rate fell to 4.14 percent in February from 4.7 percent in January on stable food prices, lower electricity and fuel prices and muted demand-driven inflationary pressures, the central bank said, adding inflation is expected to remain within its target range in the near term due to adequate food supplies and lower electricity prices.
The foreign exchange market has also remained stable, CBK said, supported by a narrowing of the current account deficit to 4.7 percent of gross domestic product in February from 5.5 percent in February 2018 a horticulture exports have remained robust, remittances resilient and tourism receipts have risen while growth in imports has slowed.
This year the current account deficit is seen narrowing further to 4.8 percent from 4.9 percent in 2018 while foreign exchange reserves at US$8,251 million are enough to 5.3 months of imports.
Kenya’s economy expanded 6.0 percent in the third quarter of last year, down from 6.2 percent in the second quarter, but the monetary policy committee’s March market survey shows sustained optimism of stronger economic growth this year due to favorable weather, implementation of the government’s Big 4 projects, public infrastructure investment and a stable macroeconomy despite signs of weaker global growth and increased volatility in international financial markets.
Kenya’s shilling firmed in the first two months of this year but it has given back gains since March 11 and was trading at 100.8 to the U.S. dollar today, up 1 percent this year.
In September 2016 Kenya’s government imposed a cap on commercial banks’ interest rates, despite objections by the International Monetary Fund and banks, arguing lenders were not passing on low interest rates to borrowers.
In June 2018 lawmakers blocked the finance minister’s attempt to repeal the cap, which he said had led to lower credit growth, but on March 14 Nairobi’s High Court annulled this cap of 4 percentage points above CBK’s policy rate, calling it “vague, imprecise, ambitious and indefinite.”
The court suspended the implementation of its ruling for 12 months to give lawmakers and regulators time to adjust to any lifting of the cap.
In today’s statement, the central bank noted the court ruling, and “stressed that interest rate caps severely constrain the formulation, conduct and effectiveness of monetary policy,” and the caps have hampered access to credit by growth sectors.
The Central Bank of Kenya issued the following statement:
- Month-on-month overall inflation remained within the target range in January and February 2019, largely due to stable food prices, lower electricity and fuel prices, and muted demand- driven inflationary pressures. Overall inflation declined to 4.1 percent in February from 4.7 percent in January. Non-food-non-fuel (NFNF) inflation remained below 5 percent, indicating that demand pressures in the economy were muted. The rise of international oil prices may exert moderate upward pressure on prices of fuel. However, overall inflation is expected to remain within the target range in the near term, in part due to adequacy of food supplies and lower electricity prices with the reduced usage of expensive power sources.
- The foreign exchange market has remained stable supported by the narrowing of the current account deficit to 4.7 percent of GDP in the 12 months to February from 5.5 percent in February 2018. This reflects robust performance of exports particularly horticulture, resilient diaspora remittances, and higher receipts from tourism and transport services. Additionally, growth in imports slowed mainly due to lower imports of food and machinery. The current account deficit is expected to narrow to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2019 from an estimated 4.9 percent in 2018.
- The CBK foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at USD8,251 million (5.3 months of import cover), continue to provide adequate cover and a buffer against short-term shocks in the foreign exchange market.
- Private sector credit grew by 3.4 percent in the 12 months to February, compared to 3.0 percent in January. Strong growth in private sector credit was observed in the following sectors: finance and insurance (13.1 percent); consumer durables (16.2 percent); manufacturing (7.7 percent); and trade (6.4 percent). Private sector credit growth is expected to strengthen in 2019, with the anticipated higher economic activity and improved lending to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- The banking sector remains stable and resilient. Average commercial banks’ liquidity andcapital adequacy ratios stood at 49.8 percent and 18.1 percent, respectively, in February. The ratio of gross non-performing loans (NPLs) to gross loans stood at 12.8 percent in February compared to 12.0 percent in December 2018, reflecting increases in NPLs mainly in the trade, real estate and transport and communications sectors. This reflected delayed payments by both public and private sector entities, and slow uptake of housing units. However, banks continue with mitigation measures to address the increase in NPLs, including recovery efforts.
- The MPC Private Sector Market Perception Survey conducted in March 2019 indicated that inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, with respondents revising their expectations for the near term further downwards on account of expected stability in food prices and lower electricity prices. The Survey also showed sustained optimism that economic growth would be stronger in 2019 due to, among other factors, expectations of favourable weather conditions, implementation of the Big 4 projects by the Government, public infrastructure investments, and a stable macroeconomic environment. However, the optimism was tempered by delayed onset of the long rains in most parts of the country, and slow growth in private sector credit particularly to MSMEs.
- Global growth is showing signs of weakening in 2019, weighed down by trade tensions between the U.S. and China, the slower growth of the Chinese economy, uncertainties over the nature and timing of Brexit, and the pace of normalization of monetary policy in the advanced economies. These developments have resulted in increased volatility in the global financial markets.
- The Committee noted the High Court ruling on March 14, 2019, relating to interest rate caps under Section 33B of the Banking Act. Nevertheless, the Committee stressed that interest rate caps severely constrain the formulation, conduct and effectiveness of monetary policy. Further, these interest rate caps have hampered access to credit by growth sectors, particularly MSMEs.
The Committee noted that inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, and that the economy was operating close to its potential. The MPC concluded that the current policy stance remains appropriate, and will continue to monitor any perverse response to its previous decisions. The Committee therefore decided to retain the CBR at 9.00 percent.
The MPC will continue to closely monitor developments in the global and domestic economy, and stands ready to take additional measures as necessary.”
www.CentralBankNews.info
- The MPC Private Sector Market Perception Survey conducted in March 2019 indicated that inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, with respondents revising their expectations for the near term further downwards on account of expected stability in food prices and lower electricity prices. The Survey also showed sustained optimism that economic growth would be stronger in 2019 due to, among other factors, expectations of favourable weather conditions, implementation of the Big 4 projects by the Government, public infrastructure investments, and a stable macroeconomic environment. However, the optimism was tempered by delayed onset of the long rains in most parts of the country, and slow growth in private sector credit particularly to MSMEs.
